Partner Webinar: Developing new fuel models for fire modeling of novel ecosystems in the Cross Timbers ecoregion

In the forests of the Cross Timbers ecoregion, an increase in eastern redcedar (Juniperus virginiana; ERC) has resulted in a novel fuel type with higher fuel load, different fuel architecture, and potentially increased fire risk. As a novel fuel type, ERC has not been modeled in common fire modeling programs like FlamMap or BehavePlus. This webinar explores the work of DeSantis and colleagues where they modeled test burns in mechanically treated and untreated ERC-encroached Cross Timbers forests to assess common fire modeling program capability to match observed fire behavior using a commonly used regional fuel model, best match fuel model, custom fuel model, and plant canopy inputs.

Learn more about this webinar series and the related events.

Presenters:

• Dr. Ryan DeSantis, Oklahoma State University